Looking for folks who use ObjectBar to provide some helpful tips on how to set it up. I've looked in the WC Wiki, some help there but I would rather talk with some users.
I am currently using ObjectDock Plus, Impulse Dock, DesktopX Widgets and Objects (down the right side of the screen some what set up to look like a sidebar) WindowFX and SVD. Would make for a cluttered desk if I didn't use the hide of screen feature when not in use.
Because of using ObjectDock Plus I think is would opt for the sidebar look. Can you add DX items to the bar? If it makes a difference I run XP.
If you want to add a screenshot that would be cool. Not looking for skins but more of seeing how you use ObjectBar.
Any and all responses will be appreciated. Who knows, we just might get ObjectBar being used by more folks.
Are there any ObjectBar users that would switch to Fences?
I won't...
Objectbar is
How about if I am using both of those and Object Dock Plus?
I was doing the same thing till I realized it was better (for me) to focus on one application. I felt like my system was cluttered with too many similar applications running at the same time - how many "launcher" type programs do you need? After some thought, my decision went for ObjectBar. And so this is how I really learned how to use it - by phasing out the others and concentrating on one solution. It felt like I lost 50 pounds... for me, it seems like it's more efficient this way. I was relying too much on the other applications to do the job. And so I really began to discover just what ObjectBar can do. Ever since, I can't let go of it! Fences doesn't come close to ObjectBar's efficiency in any way at all. Here is a snapshot of my current sidebar:
Why won't some of the widgets/gadgets work in ObjectBar while others do...?
After some experiments, I find it's more useful to "group" widgets into a sidebar. I don't like them individually placed on the desktop - it sort of looks unorganized. I'm just not comfortable with it. The "sidebar" approach is far better. It's visually more efficient. Not only can you have a sidebar, but you can create drop-down bars with more widgets.
Definately, my primary concern on my computer is ORGANIZING and secondarily is THEMING. I need to organize my desktop first, and then theme it. So ObjedBar has a lot of importance for me. When my computer starts, ObjectBar is like a "portal" to my entire system - it's vital. It's the nerve "center" of all activity. Everything stems from ObjectBar and so, it's first on the list and then WindowBlinds... and so, if developments do not start for this application, I will leave Stardock altogether and simply move on to something else. I'm not interested in making the yearly payment for OBJECT DESKTOP ULTIMATE when my main application is continually ignored. I came very close to not making the payment this year and so next year - forget it... I'd rather say how I feel... because it's the truth. And so, that's where it's at for me. There are loads of freeware replacements for this. They are continually developed but at Stardock - you just keep paying for things that don't develop... I don't mind financially supporting developers - but when they don't support you... a decision needs to be taken...
It seems Stardock holds a firm position to not develop ObjectBar...
Maybe they could make it Open Source... and let others develop it...
this could provide opportunity for ObjectBar users to get fixes, updates, enhancements from a community of developers working together...
I understand...
I know, sometimes it's like that...
I noticed that just on Cnet downloads, OB has been downloaded more than a million times and that's just on one popular download site. So if you look at all the others sites combined plus Stardock's own webpage, certainly, you aroused the interests of many (millions of downloads...). I guess it needed to be developed a bit more to "keep" that interest alive... [bugginess, widget import, skinning and others]. With developments, you would have had a valuable user-base. You have to pique their interest...! Widgets could have been standardized with an equal width to streamline the sidebars. Anyways, for me, it's still the best thing I have ever seen for what it does. I've looked at Winstep and I kinda don't like it - I really prefer OB. If I was confronted with a choice to purchase an updated OB or a Winstep, OB would be my choice...
Here is another snapshot: the difference here is that instead of having an MFU list, I made a bar with all "most used" applications ready for quicklaunch with only icons showing. Actually, I made another where the icon bar was shrunk to 16 X 16 icons. It's a tiny bar... but is handy...
I really like how you can use the "WBSkinImport" option to use any WindowBlinds theme for any bar you create... really cool...! This is the case of the "Running Tasks Bar" all across my screen. The bar is used only for that purpose. This is so good and so useful... With a taskbar like that, I don't have to use the "grouping" option but just allocate an "equal space" for all items on the bar - there's plenty of room... the topmost bar is for all folders on my system. ObjectBar really helps you to get organized...
It's interesting - all the different variations you can make... I would have liked to be able to assign a wallpaper to each OB theme - that would have been useful... and ofcourse, I can't do without my "virtual desktops" plugin - what a useful tool to organize your desktop...! This theme also has the full screen width taskbar. I don't know if others have tried to use the full width taskbar. I haven't seen any in the downloadable themes or elsewhere. But for me, this is important. I can work so much better...
Virtual desktops: at home or at work, this is a valuable aid. Each desktop has a special category of applications running. For those who work at home, they could have 2 desktops; one for work and one for home - a nice way to keep things organized.
How do you use OB...
I was thinking about this. If development is dependent on the number of users then there must be a way to break the circle. If skinners start making cool skins for this app again, then that may attract more users and maybe that allows Jeff to update ObjectBar more often. Lobbying and keeping threads like this alive is all you can do.
That's true - but - there is also another point about skinning. If users have the WindowBlinds application installed, and they have for example, a hundred WB skins then those same 100 skins can be applied to OB. And so it's not only dependant upon skinners because the skins database for WB is huge. For those who have the standalone version of OB without WB installed, then they are very dependant on skinners... However, skinning OB in Vista with WB doesn't work well... If "skinning" was easier, then certainly, the Stardock community would have made more skins (many tried and abandoned it). As of now, and according to reports from many, skinning is just simply too complicated in OB. It seems OB was presented as an unfinished work (in terms of skinning). It seems we got the cart in front of the horse - as we say... Make it easier for users and you will see participation and not the other way around. And so, aside from that, I eventually downgraded to XP from Vista - or should I say that I upgraded from Vista to XP! and skinning with WB works great on XP! - I wasn't comfortable with Vista for many other reasons...
I think the only way to "break the circle" though is to make a healthy effort in development and skinning - iron out some of the bugs (vista too) and skinning procedures along with widget issues. Add a little bit of "promoting" to it and maybe then...
One more to go...
see how fantastic it is to work with transparent widgets...
C'mon pals, let's see your pics...
I have a question about objectbar that I didn't see in the tutorial... I just installed it in place of "desktop sidebar" for 2 reasons... 1- Desktop Sidebar kept freezing and 2 - I LOVE STARDOCK PRODUCTS! I also like how I can make it match my Windowblinds theme....
Now onto the question... in desktop sidebar I'm able to drag icons from the folders on the sidebar into my e-mail client, saves a heck of a lot of time and makes things soooo simple. I can't seem to get Objectbar to do this... just doesn't drag. Is there a setting I should use or some other option? Anyone know??? Right clicking to copy doesn't work in my E-mail client (Lotus Notes).
Question: why would you want to drag them there...? I guess, maybe, I don't understand...
I have a folder loaded on objectbar with excel spreadsheets that I send to people. That saves me from browsing to the folder they're stored in and adding it to the e-mail... because there's different folders so I have to keep moving around... Dragging is a lot easier than browsing to the folder in my e-mail client the old fashioned way...
They usually have the text next to them but I removed it for privacy purposes...
OK, that makes a lot of sense... drag & drop...
nice option... but it's not possible with OB.
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